Fielder hits his first home run at Globe Life Park

We are now just 3 days away from the start of the regular season. It has been a long six weeks for the Rangers as they have dealt with numerous injuries to the pitching staff and to the lineup. There is light though as the season gets started Monday afternoon. All the Rangers have left is 2 more exhibition games against the Houston Astros in San Antonio. Then, it is on the season. As we draw closer to the season we are going to continue our look toward the season. Today we continue our series by looking at 3 things that must happen for the Texas Rangers to make it back to the playoffs.

The first thing is that Yu Darvish must make 30 starts. He is the undisputed “Ace” of the staff. Everytime he takes the mound the possibility of a no-hitter or perfect game is on the table. He is the guy that the Rangers can look at to possibly stop any losing streak and get the team back on the right track. So, it should be of no surprise that he has to be out there every 5th day. They don’t have another number 1 starter out there. The rest of the guys are good but they are all 3 or 4 starters. If they have to go without Darvish for any extended period of time it could hamper their chances at not only winning the division but also being in the wild card chase. The AL West and AL in general is going to be very competitive this year. The Angels and A’s are going to be very competitive in the West. The Angels will be more healthy than they were at any point last season. The A’s will be trying to win their third straight AL West crown. In the rest of the AL the Royals, Rays, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Tigers and Blue Jays will all be competing with the AL West teams for 4 playoff spots. It will not be easy to get in this year. It will be vital to get Darvish back early on in April and then hope he stays healthy throughout the season.

Secondly, Prince Fielder has to revert back to his form from when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers. That Prince Fielder was before the big contract and that Prince Fielder helped carry the Brewers into the NLCS back in 2011. They did lose to the Cardinals, but they did compete and won a very competitive NL Central title. That Prince Fielder hit .299 with 38 hr’s and 120 rbi’s. That is the Prince Fielder the Rangers are hoping they get. If he performs like he did that year he will help transform the entire look of this lineup. He will help give it balance between speed and power. It will allow Choo and Andrus to just focus on getting on base because they know they will have Fielder and Adrian Beltre back there to drive them in. That is what was missing last season, especially after Nelson Cruz was suspended. They didn’t have anyone who could consistently drive in runs. If Fielder can recapture that form in a new environment and new team then he can revive this lineup. My ideal numbers for Fielder this year would be .285 BA, 35 home runs, and 115 rbi’s, with a .400 OBP. That would be a great season and would give Ron Washington peace of mind knowing that he can run Fielder out there at the 3rd spot in the lineup everyday.

The final thing that must happen is that the team has to play .500 ball or better these first 3 months. I know it is not going to be easy, but they have to survive these first 3 months. The team is going to be dealing with numerous injures. Profar and Soto will not likely be back till June, Holland not likely till July, and Darvish and Harrison will be back around the second or third week in April. They just have to survive these first 3 months. That means that the other players have to step up. If they don’t and the Rangers play under .500 ball it could be too much to make up once they all do get healthy. I do expect them to make a run in the second half of the season, but if the hole is too big they might come up short. The goal has to be to just stay in the race and strive to make a push once everyone is back healthy after the All Star Break. Then once that happens they will be the freshest team in the league. It will be like the Rangers made multiple trade deadline acquisitions.

If these three things happen then I feel really good about the Rangers chances at not only getting back to the playoffs but winning the division and having a shot at maybe making it back to the World Series this October. That is the goal of not only this team, but every team this time of year. That is why this time of year is so great. It is because hope springs eternal. Everyone has a chance at winning and doing something special. Tomorrow we will look at the Rangers 2 main competitors for the division the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. We will preview their teams and who Rangers’ fans should fear more.